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n-Hexane induces Parkinsonism in rodents

1990; Elsevier BV; Volume: 531; Issue: 1-2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0006-8993(90)90801-h

1872-6240

Gianni Pezzoli, Sante Ricciardi, C. Masotto, Claudio Mariani, A. Carenzi,

Neurological disorders and treatments

A case of human parkinsonism, due ton-hexane exposure, was recently described. On the basis of this observation, we treated mice and rats withn-hexane and its principle toxic metabolite 2,5-hexanedione. The mice underwent a chronic treatment intraperitoneum, the rats were treated stereotaxically into the substantia nigra. At biochemical analysis of the striata, dopamine and homovanillic acid levels were significantly lower compared with control animals; norepinephrine, serotonin, 5-hydroxindolacetic acid levels were unchanged. The rats treated with 2,5-hexanedione showed an apomorphine-induced rotational behavior significantly higher compared to controls. Sincen-hexane and its metabolites are environmental contaminants and by-products of endogenous metabolic pathways, we propose that they may play a role in inducing parkinsonism in humans.